This is the week we celebrate Earth Day. Every year there is a lot to talk about besides global warming, although in this case it is the lids of the containers that speak. This from Stonyfield Farms-April 22 will mark the 36th Earth Day around the world.

We are excited that the Virtual Global March on Washington will conclude. ([http://www.stonyfield.com/Lids/Lid_Oct2005.cfm])

Many detractors from the packaging industry find themselves in charge during this period with claims about what packaging is doing for the environment and sustainability. Even chocolate packaging is under fire… The relaunch of a popular chocolate brand owned by Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, is causing concern in environmentally conscious circles in Switzerland. Under attack is the decision to package chocolate in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the plastic resin commonly used to bottle beverages. To read more, go to http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/front/detail/Chocolate_packaging_comes_under_fire.html?siteSect=105&sid=6630993&cKey=1145028194000

I’m sure some of that is true, and yes, landfills are full of packaging materials, but many companies in the industry are doing something about it. Remember back in October when I mentioned this headline: “Wal-Mart Rocks Packaging World with Order for Corn-Based Packaging.” If Wal-Mart becomes one of the first to adapt, the rest of the world will soon follow suit. Any supplier of oil and natural gas based plastic packaging will struggle to stay in business. Well, that time is now. I receive dozens of communications weekly about new packaging materials that claim to be environmentally friendly. Be on the lookout for packaging innovations that use the words biobased or bioresins.

I did some quick research and was surprised to find this example that may not be as well known: “Eggland’s Best shares your concern for the environment. They give careful consideration to their packaging choices and only after in-depth study did they decide to pack the best eggs.” from Eggland in Styrofoam cartons. They made this decision not only because of the superior protection and marketability of our eggs, but also because of the overall environmental impact of Styrofoam versus pulp paper cartons.” FYI, I love Egglands eggs.

This revelation points to the fact that the answer to supporting the environment may not be so simple. After all, package making is a complex equation anyway, so adding “vibe” to the mix just requires a little more thought.

Well-known brands are jumping on the environmental bandwagon with interesting marketing campaigns. Earlier this year, The Timberland Company today announced a shoe packaging initiative that reduces Timberland’s environmental impact and provides consumers with new information to guide them through the purchase process. The initiative, the first of its kind in the retail industry, will be seen in stores in 2006. Most notably, Timberland will place a “nutrition label” on each box that informs consumers about the product they are buying, including where it was manufactured, how it was produced, and its effect on the environment.

Highlights of the packaging initiative include:

• The “nutrition label” that will inform consumers about

Timberland’s environmental and community impact.

• Shoe boxes made from 100 percent recycled post-consumer waste fiber.

• Shoe boxes that do not use chemical glues and only soy-based inks to print labels.

• In-box messages that ask consumers “What kind of

Are you going to leave a mark? and provides a call to action for them after the purchase.

When Del Monte launched its line of fresh cut fruits in Natureworks PLA containers in 2004, it was one of the first brands in the category to make the switch to a compostable material and continues to expand the brand.

NatureWorks LLC is probably the most hyped brand today: “Dedicated to meeting the needs of today’s world without compromising the earth’s ability to meet tomorrow’s needs, NatureWorks LLC is the first company to offer a family of commercially neutral products in greenhouse gases polymers derived from 100 percent annually renewable resources with cost and performance that rivals petroleum-based packaging materials and fibers For more information about NatureWorks and its brands, visit http://www. natureworksllc.com/”

You may remember reading “What’s in your bottle?” BIOTA is changing the face of the beverage industry with its bottle. This revolutionary new plastic, developed by NatureWorks LLC, is derived from a 100 percent renewable resource, corn. BIOTA bottles disappear in approximately 80 days in a commercial composting environment. All other soft drinks and water drinks are packaged in petroleum-based bottles, which will never degrade under similar composting conditions.

Some educational materials use the packaging as a learning example and also teach students about “green” packaging. They show students that they can affect the Earth with the decisions they make in retail stores. He instructs them to bring items that are still in their packages to discuss with the class whether or not each package is eco-friendly. The campaign includes a class reward, Smarties® Celebrate Earth Day Every Day Treat Packs that mention reduce, reuse and recycle.

Whatever your product, it’s vital to realize that environmental issues are here to stay. It is imperative to stay on top of the packaging trends that are driving the way consumers shop and shop.